History

In 1987 Stavros Basiardis and Bozena Bartkovska Basiadri returned from Sofia, Bulgaria where they studied at the Physical Education and Sport Science Academy. There, among the other sports, they became familiar with the non competitive sport of gymnastics for all. From 1981 to 1987 they participated with university groups in such gymnastics festivals. Adopting the philosophy of gymnastics for all which appeals to everyone without discrimination in all ways. The summer of 1988 they started the 1st International Festival “Gymnastics For All” in Kefalonia. It was the first festival of its kind in Greece and still becoming an annual event. Each year receiving bigger and bigger acceptance and success.

Since then it has hosted thousands of athletes from Greece and abroad and it has been established as one of the biggest festivals of gymnastic for all globally.

The support from the Municipality of Kefallonia, (Community Corporation of the Municipality), the Prefecture of the Ionian Islands (Regional unit of Kefallonia), the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation (E.G.O.) has resulted in the increasing success of the Festival.

In 2014, the festival took the name of the Olympic medalist with the ensemble woman (Sidney 2000) Anna Pollatou and athlete of the local Athletics and Gymnastics Association of Eptanison, who unfortunately lost her life abruptly.

The Philosophy

Knowing well “Gymnastics for All” we consider it as one of the best forms of exercising in the world. The philosophy behind this type of exercising is the non competitive spirit and the massive participation.

Therefore Kefalonia Gym Festival appeals to everyone who exercises. There are no discriminations; it embraces men, women and children of all ages and the golden age. Among the participants there are people with special needs, former athletes of competitive groups, European and World Champions and Olympic Medalists.

In this sports festival, with a spirit of noble emulation, different cultures meet and new friendships among the participants are created. It offers an environment without racial discrimination, full of entertainment, joy and exercising.

Organizing Committee

Acknowledgement

The Kefalonia Gym Festival has been established as one of the main events on our island. It is considered as one of the biggest events in Greece for Gymnastics For All and has been acknowledged as one of the most important events for Gymnastics For All in Europe. The increasing number of participating athletic groups every year from all over Greece and many countries abroad certifies its success and importance.

Teams that have participated from abroad are many – such as Flip Slovenia, Blukippe Italy, Sports Club “Salto” Slovenia, Collegio Militar Portugal, SMS Nenzing Austria, ASTV Walgau Austria, Gdynia Poland, Kyustendil Bulgaria, GCP Portugal, Solaris Italy, CSK Sofia, Academic Sofia, Louletano Desportos Clube have honored us by participating more than once and this have contributed as with many other athletic groups in establishing the Festival of Kefalonia as a main annual event contributing to the successful development of the Festival.

At the same time, important sports personalities have honored the event with their presence every year – Alexandra Timosenko, Ioanna Botak, Ioannis Melissanides, Dimosthenis Tabakos, Anna Verouli, Eva Christodoulou,Vlasios Maras and Varvara Filiou are some of those who moved us deeply not only with their success but also with their presence in our institution.

Last but not least, the presence of the representatives – members of the Hellenic, European and World Federations of Gymnastics have contributed immensely in improving the program of the Festival, having as a result the even better success of the Festival each year.